Only the Wind Knows Where...: Week 1: Check.

Hola, from the lands of Aragón! As today marks my seventh full day in Huesca, I felt obliged to at least provide a glimpse into my everyday adventure and life. Though I was in Huesca last week, I left Thursday and didn´t return until late Tuesday night and as consequence I am just now beginning to feel well oriented and settled. (Thursday-Tuesday was spent in Valencia for “el puente del Pilar,” which I will explain in an entry to come).

My first few days in the city were spent getting lost and weaving around red tape. Although Huesca is quite small—about a 20-25 min walk from one side of the city to the other—my orientation and navigation was terrible in the beginning. In the past, I´ve excelled with maneuvering around new places. Nor in the ancient parts of cities, where narrow roads snake their way between buildings, nor in their modern grid like counterparts, have I had issues before. The dilemma this time around? My busy busy brain! Because of my to-do lists, new schedule, and all the other novel things going on in my life, as soon as I´ve reached the first, second, or maybe third street my unconscious takes over, saying: “YAY. I´ll process and generate possibilities, now.” And, with no notice at all, I´m off in Megan land, silently planning how to overcome the day’s obstacles and tasks in my world of thoughts… until ZAP. Someone changed the channel. Back to reality. How the HECK did I get here?! You can laugh. I do when I catch myself starting to drift. Of course, as I´ve become more adjusted, and checked almost every item off my must do list; these episodes have occurred less frequently.

Beyond getting lost, on roads, and in thought, I have accomplished quite a lot!

NIE. I have my number of identification, which validates me here as a resident from another country.
TIE. I am patiently awaiting this lovely little card, which contains my nie (or number), picture, signature, and other information useful to identify MOI.
EMPADRONAMIENTO. I am registered with the town hall as a resident of (here is my address): c/ Ingeniero Montaner, 4 4 D, 22004 Huesca. for this year.
CUENTA. I have opened a “cuenta” (account) in the bank “la Caixa”, a bank from Cataluña, hence the name “caixa” which would be “caja” in Spainsh.

Ah. And now, the teaching. The reason why I am here. While I´d like to share that the teaching experience is going quite well, I´d also like to reserve this for its own entry. Between pending schedules, el Puente del Pilar, and the first day´s meeting students it´s still all kind of a blur, and clearly I need to process. Thus far, I´ve discovered the following:

· Despite the belief of some, students of 5-12 years of age are complex little critters.

· 5-12 year olds are hyperactive by nature. 5-12 year olds like silly bands (yes, they are popular here now, too).

· Favorite word of unhappy third-six graders (when they feel something is unfair): Alá, and now for how they say it: Aláaaaaaaaaa.

· Third-sixth graders think I´m the best thing since, silly bands?

As far as other happenings here in Huesca, things have been pretty mellow. I´ve washed and tended my clothes, cooked, read, ran, practiced my guitar a bit, roamed around the city, and hung out with my flat mates. There are four of us here in the flat. Two girls from Zaragoza: María and Carolina, One guy from Liverpool (another auxiliary): Matty, and of course, The girl from Sunbury, Ohio: Me : ) . Both girls, María and Carolina have been overly willing to help Matt and me out. They have helped us navigate to places in the city, given us tips on travel and things we need to see, and spent time learning about us and our cultures, while sharing information about their own lives and traditions. I am mostly thrilled with the living situation, and am excited to spend the year with my new friends!

There are so many more things to be said about my experience here thus far, but for now I´m going to give it a rest. Time to go live some more!

A few photos from around Huesca:

Plaza de Navarra